I Became a Tycoon During World War I: Saving France from the Start

Charles and his 105th Infantry Regiment remained in the French trenches for two days.

This was a precaution. Charles wanted to ensure the newly reclaimed position was stable before rotating his forces out. Only once reinforcements arrived, acclimated to the trench conditions, would the 105th Infantry Regiment withdraw.

Life in the trenches was even worse than he'd imagined.

The French trenches were built as high as possible along the ridges, but the 2.5-meter-deep trenches still filled with water. In some areas, water reached thigh-high, making it impossible to dig tunnels without risking collapse or, worse, drowning.

There was almost no dry ground anywhere. Even Charles's command post had water pooling above his ankles, causing his boots to make a constant, sticky squelching sound. Though it wasn't the rainy season, melting winter snow kept the water levels high. In a few months, the rains would return, worsening the flooding and landslides. This was why Ypres was always mired in mud.

Charles now understood why the Germans, having briefly captured these trenches, transformed them into a major supply point—it was, in a strange way, a "paradise" compared to the open battlefield.

Not long after, he grasped the German motivation even more clearly. Seemingly in retaliation, the German forces subjected them to over an hour of relentless shelling.

This time, Charles felt more secure. The 2.5-meter-deep trenches had tunnels below that provided a measure of safety, so long as a shell didn't strike directly above them. For the moment, the trenches' water and mud no longer seemed unbearable.

Following the shelling, the Germans attempted several assaults but were repeatedly repelled. The 105th Infantry Regiment had seized a large cache of German Maxim guns and ammunition, which they set up along the defense line, spacing them every 30 to 50 meters. When the artillery fire ceased, the French soldiers rushed to their machine-gun positions and unleashed a deadly rain of bullets on the advancing Germans.

Only now did Charles truly understand why trench warfare had become the defining strategy of the Great War, especially at Ypres.

Two hours later, communication with the rear was finally reestablished, costing the lives of three signalmen.

Charles was surprised when the first call came in—it was Foch.

Tijani, who had answered the phone, looked at Charles in shock, then covered the mouthpiece and whispered, "It's for you, Colonel. General Foch, Commander of the Northern Army Group."

Charles hesitated.

For a long time, he and Foch had been at odds, their tactical philosophies diametrically opposed. Charles had made efforts to avoid contact with Foch, hoping to sidestep any confrontations. Foch, it seemed, had shared this unspoken agreement. Despite several opportunities to meet, they'd managed to "miss" each other.

But now, Foch was calling Charles directly.

Could it be that the matter had become unavoidable?

Intrigued, Charles took the receiver and introduced himself.

Foch got straight to the point:

"I know we have our differences, Colonel," Foch began. "But our goal is the same: to defeat the enemy and reclaim France's lands."

"Our disagreements are merely about methodology, which isn't a real issue. Don't you agree?"

Charles immediately felt at ease; he appreciated this approach. He preferred everything out in the open.

"Of course, General," Charles replied. "I couldn't agree more."

Foch didn't hold back his thoughts:

"Sometimes I even question the soundness of the 'offensive theory,' but we can't deny that most victories have come from offensive actions—including yours."

"To be sure, your argument seems logical, that some battles call for defense and others for offense."

"But what you're saying, isn't that true of all engagements? In a sense, it says nothing at all."

"We need a clear, reliable doctrine that can lead the entire army to victory, not just vague, flexible guidelines."

To Foch, Charles's theory was too nebulous. At least Pétain's "defensive doctrine" provided a clear directive, whereas Charles's approach seemed like a catch-all solution.

"If it weren't for your astonishing victories," Foch continued, "I wouldn't even be having this conversation."

"No offense, but I'd see no point in discussing it otherwise."

Charles replied calmly, "I understand, General. But what if that's simply the reality?"

Foch was silent for a moment, then asked, "What reality?"

"The reality of the battlefield," Charles explained. "Where no single, rigid strategy can dictate success. Combat isn't as black-and-white as that."

Foch chuckled, "Is that so? I don't agree. I believe there's a pattern to it."

"May I ask you a question, General?" Charles inquired.

"Of course." Foch's tone was patient and even respectful, no doubt a reflection of the undeniable brilliance of Charles's battlefield successes.

At that moment, a few shells whistled overhead. Charles waited for the noise to subside before he spoke again, unhurriedly.

"Imagine, General, that you're a teacher with forty or fifty students, or even more."

"Can you use a single, simple, universal method to teach them all?"

"If you could, then why don't we see this method replicated globally and written into every teacher's guide for others to follow?"

Foch was taken aback.

He had once been a professor at Saint-Cyr Military Academy, teaching military history and strategy. Later, he had even served as its director. He knew from experience that education couldn't be simplified or standardized because it dealt with students—human beings—each with different personalities and ways of thinking. A single statement could resonate with one student yet alienate another.

The challenge of education lay in adapting to each student's unique traits and using different teaching methods accordingly.

Foch seemed to grasp Charles's analogy. "So, you're saying that military doctrine, like teaching, should adapt to each situation?"

"Absolutely," Charles answered. "Because on the battlefield, we're dealing with people, not simply following a playbook."

There was silence on the other end of the line, as though Foch were lost in thought.

Charles continued, "Consider this scenario, General. What if the entire French Army adopted your 'offensive theory'?"

"If the German commanders know this, then they also know our every next move."

"With that in mind, do you still believe we can achieve victory?"

For the first time, Foch felt that perhaps Charles's viewpoint was the only one that held true.

Pétain's "defensive doctrine" suffered from the same flaw. Once the entire army committed to it, the enemy would predict the French Army's every move.

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1